The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar II disorder, is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service onset and aggravation of this condition due to stressors during military service. Service connection for a back disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis or link to service.
The deciding factor: The private examiner concluded that the Veteran's bipolar II disorder was aggravated by stressors during his military service, leading to its development post-service.
- Claimed conditions
- Bipolar II Disorder, Back Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 10, 2017
- Citation
- 1707461
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1707461.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's increased rating of 100 percent for bipolar II disorder is granted, effective prior to September 30, 2024. SMC based on housebound criteria is also granted, effective prior to September 30, 2024.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA rating decision denying service connection for a right knee disability and a back disability is not supported by adequate medical opinions, and thus remands the case for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of a left knee disability, back disability, and left elbow disability must be remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran provided lay reports of symptoms but the VA examiners did not consider these reports in their conclusions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right eye, left eye, left knee, and back disabilities due to conflicting statements from the Veteran and inconsistencies in his medical records.
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